SelectBoard Minutes - November 11, 2008



SELECTBOARD MEETING 11/11/08

Present: Marc McKee, John LaPierre, Dana Baltz
Guests: John Vose, Larry Lancaster, Bob Hodge, Debra Kingsbury

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

John Vose, Administrator of Upper Valley Ambulance (UVA), and Larry Lancaster, Vershire's UVA board member, attended the meeting to explain why UVA is requesting a $5 per capita increase in payments to UVA from Vershire. John made the following points:

- UVA has fixed costs but Medicare reimbursement continues to decline.
- UVA healthcare insurance premiums increase every year as much as 20%.
- Maintenance/repairs on the vehicles are expensive and often inadequate.

He reported that Randolf's per capita cost has gone from $27 to $60 and Bellow's Falls' from $48 - $49 per capita. UVA is requesting increased payments from all of the towns it serves. Marc asked what would happen if the increase was voted down by the Town of Vershire. John responded that Vershire would still receive services. Marc asked if people used the ambulance needlessly. John said they do but also that they do not use it when they should. John said UVA would accept donations. UVA has a golf tournament yearly to raise money.

Marc reported he has not spoken with the Sheriff yet. But he has been asking Vershire residents about their experiences with the Sheriff's department. He said people tell him they are often told to call the State police.

Marc said he has called Unifirst 2 times and left messages, but no one from the company has returned his calls.

The Selectboard discussed the ordering and pricing of trash bags. The Selectboard gave Naomi the OK to order more trash bags.

Joan Waltermire wrote the Selectboard an email asking why Wellspring was able to use the Town Center rent free while Vershire residents had to pay a fee to use it. Marc said he would call Joan and discuss this with her.

Dana will call Julie Furno and ask her to replace the burned out bulbs inside the Town Center main hall.

Bob asked about buying the pagers for the road crew. The money was approved in the budget for this year.

The deadline for the next newsletter is 11/18/08. The Selectboard was asked if they had things to put in it. They mentioned Bob and Sue Eastman's holiday baskets and land on which dirt from cleaning out ditches could be stockpiled.

Marc called the state highway department about using state land to stockpile dirt removed from ditches. This is possible, but would require a lot of paperwork/redtape. If someone has land they would let the town use for this purpose, they can let a town officer know.

Marc called the Mudge's whose property abuts Dave Ricker's property. The Mudge's are interested in purchasing it, so the Town of Vershire won't pursue acquiring the Ricker property.

Debra presented research she had done in 2006 on potential town garage sites. There are 3 sites and they are all on Rt 113. Marc said he would like this to be discussed at Town Meeting as he wants the decision to include as many people as possible and wants a site on which most people agree.

Marc reported that he, Michael Crowley and Bill Baylis put the castors on the other recycling dumpster ramp.

There was a discussion about the propane tanks at the town garage. Steve Garrow has put his tank in. Marc will call Steve and discuss the tanks with him.

Debra asked the Selectboard for permission to send the Lumbras a reappraisal due to a discovered structure. The Selectboard approved.

Marc called Celia Thorsson, who was away, to ask her to submit a bill for services rendered as planning board secretary.

All 3 Selectboard members wish to attend a seminar offered by Vermont League of Cities and Towns on municipal budgeting, but time is running short to register. Marc will call to see if they can still attend.

The Selectboard reviewed the mail.

The Selectboard reviewed the orders. Marc moved to accept them, John seconded and all were in favor.

The Pyrofax contract was given to Dana to file.

Marc moved to approve the 10/28/08 minutes as amended. John seconded and all were in favor.

Marc moved to adjourn at 9:01 p.m. John seconded and all were in favor.